Historic church wary of proposed tower's shadow

Congregation voicing concerns as city enters negotiations with developers

9:59 PM,
Jan. 22, 2013

The Rev. Ben Webb is photographed Jan. 16 in the sanctuary of Trinity Episcopal Church. Webb is concerned that the proposed 20-story Chauncey tower, planned across the street, will cast a shadow over the church and cause parking issues.

Written by

Josh O?Leary
| Iowa City Press-Citizen

For nearly a century and a half, light has streamed through the stained-glass windows lining Trinity Episcopal Church's sanctuary, while outside, downtown Iowa City has grown up and evolved around the parish.

"The quality of light through the windows is wildly luminous; it's really stunning," said the Rev. Benjamin Webb, interim priest at Trinity Episcopal, as he walked through the sanctuary on a recent morning. Tall, ornate stained-glass windows with inscriptions dating to the 19th century glowed on all four walls, and smaller panes cast diffused light from the arched ceiling onto the ...